NY to Nasville, TN

[NY_RVer]

My wife and I are thinking of taking a trip down with the TT to Nashville in late April or early May. We were originally thinking of heading to Florida for some warmth after this winter in the Northeast; is anyone familiar with the weather during that time in Nashville? Would prefer some warm weather. Any attractions that are a "must see"? Also, any suggestions on best routes towing a TT from NY to Nashville?

[GoinThisAway]

I agree with coolmon42 that the weather in late April should be good, warm but not too warm. The campground info posted above is right on. I'll add one more, Countryside RV Park just off I-40 between Mt Juliet and Nashville.

Start with the Nash Trash Tour as it's a hilarious way to see downtown Nashville. Catch a show at the old Rhyman Auditorium or at least take a tour of this original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Check out the shops, restaurants, and honky tonks just a stones throw away on "lower Broad" AKA Broadway. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and the historic Hatch Show Prints another block over. The Frist Art museum is on Broadway and next door is the Union Station Hotel, a historic train station that has exquisite architecture in the common areas. The Loveless Café is on the western edge of town but has excellent country vittles (food) and a wall full of photos of famous people that have dined their. On Wednesday evenings you can attend a live radio show in their Loveless Barn out behind the café. If they'd like to see some of the countryside they can take a quiet drive along the Natchez Trace that starts just west of the Loveless just watch out for the many bicyclists. This is just a sampling, there's much much more to see and do in Nashville.

[coolmom42]

You can avoid the mountain grades by heading west and then south. I don't know where you are in NY, but you can come down through Ohio on I-71, and Kentucky on I-65, with almost no grades.

There are some long grades on I-81 & I-75, but by no means what I would call steep. Get in the right lane, shift down, and don't push it. Come down in the same gear you went up, and you will be fine, if you decided to take that route. Just don't let your tranny be jumping around and shift down for some speed control as needed.

[jnharley]

There are three campgrounds on Music Valley Drive, KOA, Two Rivers, and a Yogi. This is very close to the Grand Ole Opry. We take the Downtown Shuttle (fee) when we want to go hear some music at the bars and have a libation or go to the Country Music Hall of Fame. That way, we do not have to worry about parking our dually or driving. We stay at the KOA because we want a site with no trees and the KOA has a few sites like that. Andrew Jackson's home, Hermitage, was pretty interesting too. We stay every year in Nashville on our way south for the winter.

[NY_RVer]

Thanks for the info. Devocamper, you make me a bit nervous with the mention of steep hills. Just had the head gaskets and studs done in my 6.0 last summer, as it was heating up towing on inclines. It's been running great since, but steepest hills I towed the TT since was up to Lake George, and up into Maine. I guess I am gun shy and keep my eye on the gauge constantly now. Heated up my brakes real bad years back on a Class C coming down the Smokey Mtns, and learned quickly why they named them that! Smoke coming out of passenger side front wheel, had to pull over for an hour to let it cool down. People actually stopped to help, which was nice, even though one guy suggested pouring cold water on it to cool it off faster.:E

[coolmom42]

Weather in late April/early May can range from highs 70-85, lows 40s-mid 50s. Generally very pleasant, possibly humid, with cooler nights. Average last frost date is April 15. Past the worst of spring tornado season, which is late March/early April. You will definitely want AC to cool off in the daytime but nights will probably be comfortable.

It's a very pretty time of year. You could come much earlier for peak spring wildflower season and much more variable weather. But late April will be super-green and lush.

So far as attractions, it depends on what you like. There is tons of historical stuff, including major Civil War battlefields, wonderful natural beauty, and a highly varied music scene. Check out TripAdvisor.com to get a good idea of what is available. Tennessee has one of the best state park systems in the country, but it is heavily used so book early if you want to stay at one.

There is a COE campground--Seven Points--about 20 minutes from downtown that is highly recommended. Many beautiful state parks within an hour, just google "Tennessee State Parks" or check rvparkreviews for details.

[Devocamper]

We have made this trip 4 times but not in a few years. Take the inland route, interstate 81 south starting in PA end up on interstate 40 into Nashville. No way around some really steep and long and I mean really long grades on the interstates heading to Nashville so make sure your equipment is in good shape. The grand ole opry of course is great get your tickets on line ahead of time for the nights you will be there, you may want to go more than one time and you may not know who will there on any given night but it is always a good show and if get your tickets early enough you may get a front row seat. The Country Music hall of fame and all of downtown bars and restaurants are nice to visit. Last time we were there we took the river boat dinner cruse as well.Not sure where your thinking of staying but the Army corps (COE) campgrounds in the area are really nice but you need book now because the local folks get all the lake side sites. We always stay at J. Percy Priest Lake, Seven Points campground it is only a few miles from downtown and closer than that to the opry. There was a campground about a mile from the grand ole opry but I am not sure if it is still there and looked pretty much like a parking lot . Good luck and have a safe trip.